Turks and Caicos is an archipelago of eight islands, with dozens of smaller islands and cays. Fifty-two miles southeast of Providenciales is Ambergris Cay: a 1,000-acre island getaway with lush terrain, powder white-sand beaches, and turquoise waters.
Our six-passenger Cessna lands on Ambergris Cay’s own runway after a short 18-minute flight over the Atlantic. Named for whale ambergris, a waxy secretion used for perfumes and products that washed up on its beaches, the island feels like a best-kept secret. A private island since 1811, it was purchased in late 2017 by Turks and Caicos Collection, which also owns Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven, and Beach House on Turks and Caicos.
Ambergris Cay is all-inclusive with almost no limitations: try kite surfing, boating, bone fishing, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding. Or simply take a dip in the ocean-facing swimming pool for all guests, play some tennis, or grab a bicycle to ride the trail along the island’s gravel roads.
In contrast to the rustic landscape, accommodations on Ambergris Cay are dreamy, modern, and luxurious. Ten one-bedroom beach houses, smack dab on the beach, feature king beds, gold-tiled bathrooms, and the most Instagram-worthy dipping pools.
Brand new to Ambergris Cay are three villas of three or four bedrooms overlooking the Atlantic. Our villa has a large living room with cathedral ceiling and a master suite, complete with balcony, Jacuzzi tub, and outdoor shower. The downstairs portion, still well above ground, features two separate suites that are ideal for kids or guests. An outdoor deck leads to an eight-foot-deep dipping pool that encourages morning dips. King beds, Frette linens, panoramic ocean views from nearly every room, and Moët & Chandon Champagne and Turk’s Head beer chilling in the fridge pamper upon arrival.
First things first: take in a world-class treatment at Elevate Spa, a boutique spa featuring two treatment rooms right on the beach. Opt for the Island Rhythm Balinese Signature Candle Massage, which combines stretching and palm and thumb pressure techniques to wipe away tension. An attached outdoor shower is the perfect place to wash up afterwards. Best of all? The all-inclusive package includes a complimentary 30-minute treatment each day.
At this point, we’ve worked up an appetite, so we head to the Club House restaurant, where the chef is barbequing a selection of seafood caught right on-island. Next up is a snorkel adventure. We jump on the motorboat and cruise to the nearby and breathtaking 23-acre Fish Cay.
Tiki torches light the way into dinner at Calico Jack Bar, where we enjoy a tasting menu of fried rice balls, fresh lobster bisque with cornbread, grilled lobster over mashed potatoes, and savory roasted carrots and squash. Tropical libations like the refreshing strawberry margarita are mixed from scratch with fresh fruit—no bottled mixes here.
At the end of the night, don’t forget to look up! Because the island has no ambient light, constellations, planets, and the Milky Way appear clearly and spectacularly.